The Rockies and Diamondbacks postponed their series finale Thursday in Arizona as Major League Baseball joined sports leagues across the nation in protesting racial injustice.
Colorado released the following statement: “After reflecting and meeting as a group, Rockies players have decided not to play today’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, standing in solidarity with athletes and sports teams against social injustice.”
The last-minute postponement was unexpected, though, with the Rockies announcing their lineup at about 2:30 p.m. in addition to manager Bud Black speaking with reporters prior to the scheduled 4:10 p.m. first pitch.
Matt Kemp – who sat out of Wednesday’s game following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin – was expected to return to the lineup Thursday as Colorado’s designated hitter.
“These are times when conversations are happening and emotions are being shown,” Black said. “These are good things because we’re talking about situations in our country that are real and need to change. … These discussions, hopefully, over time will make for change.”
After reflecting and meeting as a group, Rockies players have decided not to play today’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, standing in solidarity with athletes and sports teams against social injustice.
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 27, 2020
We stand with our brothers at the @Rockies. https://t.co/4RO8Cdhz1o
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 27, 2020
On Deck
Padres RHP Zach Davies (4-2, 3.03 ERA) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2-1, 2.87 ERA)
6:40 p.m. Friday, Coors Field
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 AM
Freeland has established himself as the Rockies’ most consistent starting pitcher, with the left-hander earning a quality start in all six of his outings this season — the second-longest streak in team history. Freeland put Colorado in position to beat the Dodgers in L.A. in his previous start, but a shaky bullpen wasted his 3-2 lead in the sixth for a Rockies loss. Freeland is 3-3 lifetime against the Padres with a 3.60 ERA over 10 games (eight starts). At home this year, Freeland carries a 2.29 ERA. Davies has gone at least six innings in five of his six starts this season, and he enters Friday’s game with back-to-back wins. However, the Rockies beat Davies, 9-6, in an Aug. 2 game in which he allowed three earned runs (two homers) over five innings pitched. This will mark Davies’ second career start against Colorado.
Trending: The Rockies’ starting rotation entered Thursday night leading the NL in total innings pitched (175.2) and quality starts (17). Colorado ranks second in MLB behind the Cleveland Indians with 182.1 IP and 22 QS.
At issue: Colorado has lost nine of its last 13 games after starting out the year 11-3. Prior to the postponement of Thursday’s game in Arizona, though, the Rockies had won three straight against the Diamondbacks.
Pitching Probables:
Saturday: Padres RHP Adrian Merjon (0-0, 5.79) at Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (3-1, 3.96 ERA), 6:10 p.m., ATTRM
Sunday: Padres RHP Chris Paddack (2-3, 5.15) at Rockies RHP Ryan Castellani (1-1, 3.54), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Monday: Padres TBD at Rockies RHP German Marquez (2-4, 4.50), 7:40 p.m., ATTRM